20 Fun Limericks for Kids

Limericks are short, playful poems that capture the joy of rhyme and rhythm, making them perfect for children. These”limericks for kids are fun to hear and easy to remember, encouraging creativity and a love for words at an early age. In this blog, we will share 20 fun limericks and offer tips on how you can help your child write their very own limericks.

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What is Limerick Poem?

A limerick is a short, humorous poem with five lines. It follows a specific rhyme scheme, usually AABBA, where the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines share a different rhyme. A limerick’s rhythm is bouncy, making it fun to read aloud.

20 Best Limericks for Kids

Limericks can cover all sorts of fun topics. Here’s a collection of 20 limericks for kids, categorized to make it easy to find just the right kind of giggle!

5 Animal Limericks for Kids

An animal limerick — Source: @weareteachers.com

1. The Elephant Up High

There once was an elephant in the sky,

Who wanted to learn how to fly.

He flapped day and night,

But couldn’t get it right,

And said with a sigh, “Guess I’m too shy!”

2. Mischievous Cat

A cheeky old cat in a hat

Sat daily on the mat of Pat.

She chased all the mice,

Knocked things over thrice,

And hid her toys in Pat’s flat cap.

3. The Bear Who Loved Honey

A bear found a jar, oh so sunny,

Inside was thick, golden honey.

He ate with his paws,

With loud, happy guffaws,

His smile was sweeter than the bunny.

4. The Dancing Frog

There was a young frog who could dance,

In the swamp, he would leap at each chance.

With a twirl and a hop,

He’d never stop,

Until he lost his green pants.

5. The Clever Fox

A fox walked through town in disguise,

To sneak past the folks he was wise.

In clothes so grand,

A hat in his hand,

He won the best costume prize.

5 Funny Limerick Poems for Kids

1. The Boy Who Ate Glue

A curious boy named Drew

Decided to taste some glue.

His lips made a smack,

Stuck tight, front and back,

Now he whistles to speak, it’s true!

2. The Flying Cake

At a party, a cake tried to flee,

It sprouted some wings, you see!

It flew round the room,

In a sugary zoom,

And landed on grandma’s settee.

3. The Teacher in the Lake

Our teacher took a wrong break,

And mistakenly jumped in the lake.

With a splash and a yell,

She laughed, “All is well!

It’s better than eating fruitcake!”

4. Silly Old King

There once was a king who wore rings,

On his fingers, his toes, even strings!

He danced with a laugh,

Tripped over his staff,

And declared, “I am the king of swings!”

5. The Windy Day

A gust on a windy spring day,

Blew hats and the market’s display.

It twirled skirts around,

And kites left the ground,

It played in a mischievous way.

5 School Limericks for Kids

1. Late for School

There was a young boy who was late,

For school, he’d just dawdle and wait.

But he ran with a shout,

When the school lights went out,

Now he’s never, not once, at the gate.

2. The Smartest Girl in Class

A girl in my class knows it all,

Answers questions in winter and fall.

She’s quick as a wink,

Makes you think and rethink,

In knowledge, she stands ten feet tall.

3. The Homework-Eating Dog

My dog ate my homework last night,

Chewed it up in a terrible fright.

My teacher just laughed,

Said, “Craft a new draft,”

Now my dog’s my homework’s white knight.

4. The Class Clown

In class, there’s a joker so keen,

The funniest kid ever seen.

With a quip and a grin,

Laughter he’d win,

Our spirits he always would glean.

5. Science Project Gone Wrong

We tried to make volcanoes flow,

But our project just wouldn’t go.

Instead of lava, out flew foam,

Covered the class like a dome,

Our science show turned into a snow!

5 Nature Limericks

1. The Sun Takes a Nap

The sun one day took a small nap,

Behind clouds, it hid in a snap.

The sky looked so strange,

The weather did change,

It wore a gray, rainy cap.

2. Cheerful Flowers

The flowers woke up with a grin,

Stretching petals from within.

They dance in the breeze,

With such elegant ease,

Inviting the butterflies in.

3. The Lonely Mountain

There once was a mountain so steep,

Where snow at its peak lay so deep.

It wished for some fun,

For climbers to come,

Its slopes were too quiet, too sleep.

4. The Talkative River

A river that loved to babble,

Wound through the forest, a marvel.

It chattered all day,

In its unique way,

Stories it would gladly unravel.

5. The Moon’s Secret

The moon has a secret to tell,

Each night as the stars start to swell.

It whispers to seas,

And rustles the trees,

With tales of the heaven’s old spell.

These limericks provide a playful entry into poetry for kids, covering a spectrum of themes from silly to educational, ensuring there’s something that every child can enjoy and learn from.

How to Write a Limerick for Children

Writing a short limerick poem can be a fun and creative activity for kids. Here’s a simple guide to help children create their own limericks:

Structure of a Limerick

A limerick has five lines. The rhyme scheme is AABBA, which means the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines share a different rhyme. The rhythm of a limerick is very important—it should have a bouncy, musical feel. Typically, the first, second, and fifth lines have eight to nine syllables, while the third and fourth lines are shorter, with five to six syllables.

Choosing a Topic

When helping kids write limericks, choose fun and relatable topics. Kids enjoy topics such as animals, adventures, silly scenarios, or everyday happenings that they can exaggerate humorously.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Limerick

Start with the First Line: The first line should set up the scenario. It often introduces a character or a setting.
Develop the Scenario: Lines two and three should continue the scenario, building up to the punchline. Keep the ideas flowing and engaging.
Craft the Punchline: The fifth line is your punchline. It should be funny, surprising, or clever, making a humorous twist or conclusion to the story set up in the previous lines.
Use Rhyme and Rhythm: Make sure the words at the end of lines one, two, and five rhyme; the same goes for lines three and four. Pay attention to the rhythm to keep it catchy and enjoyable.

Here is an example of limerick poem to demonstrate how it works:

A mouse found a whistle and blew,

Creating a sound, oh so new.

The cats all ran fast,

Their fear was vast,

And the mouse then enjoyed a calm view.

This example shows how the structure works, with the punchline turning the tables on what you might expect. Encourage kids to think of funny endings that play with the scenario set up in the first few lines.

Related Reading: Best Ways to Teach Rhyming Words to Kids

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed exploring the playful and engaging world of limericks with us. Through limerick poem examples and silly limericks, children can discover the joy of poetry in a fun and accessible way. Keep encouraging your little ones to read, create, and share their limericks, nurturing their creativity and love for words.

Related Reading: Rhyming Words for Kindergarten Kids

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a famous limerick?

One famous limerick is by Edward Lear: “There was an Old Man with a beard, Who said, ‘It is just as I feared! Two Owls and a Hen, Four Larks and a Wren, Have all built their nests in my beard!'”

What is an example of a simple limerick?

Here’s a simple limerick example: “There once was a cat who could pounce, On a mouse with every ounce. She leapt high in the air, With barely a care, And caught the mouse, then announced.”